The Annual Flat Track Racing Hall of Fame Induction Party
The new year found the motorcycle faithful gathering in Las Vegas. Whether plans took you to view, shop, or sell at Mecum’s 34th annual Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Auction, or to attend Gene Woods’ 5th annual Hot Shoe Hall of Fame Industry Icon Induction celebration off Fremont Street, they came ready to visit, reminisce, and make new memories with old friends.
Gene Woods and his board of directors have been hard at work over the past few years putting together a free event to remember and honor not only the famous, but also folks who participate behind the scenes and love the sport of motorcycle flat track racing in all its forms. We all know that it takes promoters, sponsors and riders to excite the fans. It also takes many other passionate people, often volunteers, to put it all together- prep the tracks, work the corners, score and referee the events. Journalists working with photographers and other media capture and publicize the racing action. Then the whole group heads to the next scheduled event, to do it all again together. It’s a crazy love for motorcycles and racing, and the skills and thrills that keep us addicted.
The gathering for this year’s Hot Shoe Hall of Fame Induction celebration.
2025 saw an additional 50 inductees into The Hot Shoe Hall of Fame. A Lifetime Achievement Award honoring the great Malcom Smith was received on his behalf by Ed Burke of Yamaha. Malcom, although no longer with us, was one of those people who truly loved everything about motorcycles and racing.
Many a speedway race was held in Gardena, California at Ascot Park where J.C. Agajanian and his family promoted racing from 1957 until its closing in 1990. If you listened to the radio in Southern California back then, you would often hear the tag line: “Where the Harbor, the San Diego, and the 91 Freeways Explode!”
His son, Chris Agajanian, shared with Hot Shoe Hall of Fame attendees that they ran 200 races annually, five nights a week, for ten months of the year. Wild World of Wheels is a great channel to dive into the history and racing stars of this famous track and J.C. Agajanian. Bubba Shobert and Terry Clanton also entertained the crowd with some bench racing stories from his past.
(L to R) Bubba Shobert, Gene Woods of Hot Shoe, and David “Bones” Aldana at the 2025 Hall of Fame night.
The Hot Shoe Hall of Fame paid tribute to former 31-year veteran LAPD motor officer Robert “Sarge” Fiesler with a special award presented to his son, Rob. It was a replica of his father’s shield. Those who serve in law enforcement and use their riding skills every day truly illustrate their love of motorcycles.
Jerry Bernardo and David “Bones” Aldana had a lot of fun sharing some stories from David’s long racing career. He raced Flat Track and TTs at Ascot in the late 1960s. He’s still riding today at 75 years young and competed at last year’s AHRMA Vintage Festival. Who doesn’t remember the skeleton leathers?
Last year was the inaugural year for the “Zeckie”. This award is for “selfless and unwavering dedication to the motorcycle industry”. It was presented to 2025 inductee Jimmy Lewis by its namesake, “Hardhat Howie” Zechner of RAZ Video. Howie has been featuring videos of speedway racers since 1974.
Jimmy Lewis receiving the “Zeckie” Award; Rob Fiesler receiving a special award on behalf of his father.
Jerry Bernardo is not just known for his interview style; he also creates various media artwork that is used by the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame. He shared “Two Wheel Heaven” featuring racing and industry greats we recently lost from the motorcycle family. It is a beautiful tribute.
No Hot Shoe Hall of Fame event is complete without the beauty of Las Vegas show girls, who grace the stage for inductees to capture the perfect photo of their special honor. Gene and the board pulled out all the stops this year with a musical finale by Steve Connelly as “The Spirit of the King” to entertain everyone. To Gene Woods and the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame board, “Thank you, thank you very much!”
More photos of this and past Hot Shoe Hall of Fame events can be enjoyed on our photo site:
Geoff & Barb Nickless
*Top photo: Gunny Claypoole receiving his 2025 Inductee plaque.
Jerry Bernardo sharing his newest work of art, “Two Wheel Heaven” with the Hall of Fame Induction crowd, Howie Zechner and Jimmy Lewis on stage with him; Steve Connelly’s “Spirit of the King” Elvis tribute.
For more on the Hot Shoe Hall of Fame, click here:
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